IN FOCUS - Chase Meggers, Top 100 Prospects, Harrison Bader, Zach Eflin, Alek Thomas,

 

Mets sign UDFA C-LF=RF Chase Meggers

Chase Meggers is a professional baseball player, primarily known for his role as a catcher, who has made significant strides in both college and summer league play before transitioning to a professional career with the New York Mets.

Early Career and High School Achievements

Meggers began his baseball journey at Rocklin High School in Rocklin, California. During his high school tenure, he was a three-year letter winner and one-year captain, earning the prestigious Sierra Foothill League Defensive Player of the Year award following his senior season. He also received first-team All-SFL honors, finishing his senior year with a .361 batting average, 3 home runs, 6 doubles, 4 triples, and 5 stolen bases, reaching base at a .480 clip and slugging .672. His junior year saw a .300 batting average with a .417 on-base percentage and .817 OPS, while as a sophomore, he hit .200 with a .375 on-base percentage and .708 OPS. Additionally, he lettered four seasons in wrestling, showcasing his athletic versatility under coach Steven Moller.

College Career at the University of Oregon

Meggers continued his baseball career at the University of Oregon, where he played in the NCAA, specifically in the Pac-12 Conference.

In 2024, Meggers earned honorable mention All-Pac-12 Conference honors after moving into the starting lineup midway through the season, highlighting his ability to adapt and perform under pressure. Notable moments include hitting a two-run double in a series win over Rutgers and contributing to a controversial play against Utah Valley in the NCAA tournament, where he lofted a sacrifice fly that initially appeared to score a run.

Summer League Performances

Beyond college, Meggers showcased his talents in summer leagues, particularly in the Cape Cod Baseball League (CCBL) with the Bourne Braves. His 2024 performance there was impressive, with a .342 batting average, 5 doubles, 1 triple, and 7 RBIs in 10 games, achieving a .386 on-base percentage and .526 slugging percentage for an OPS of .913. Earlier, in 2022, he played for Ocean State in the NECL, hitting .247 with 3 home runs and 10 RBIs in 29 games, and in 2023, he played for Arroyo Seco in the CACL, posting a .370 batting average with 3 doubles, 1 triple, and 4 RBIs in 16 games.

Physical Attributes and Playing Style

Meggers stands at 6 feet tall and weighs 205 pounds, batting left-handed and throwing right-handed. Born on January 6, 2003, in Dublin, California, he has been described as a competitive player, with his success often attributed to a dogged approach at the plate. This was evident in games like one against Cotuit, where he hit a home run on a first-pitch fastball, demonstrating his ability to capitalize on opportunities.

Recent Developments and Professional Career

As of July 2025, Meggers has signed with the New York Mets as an undrafted free agent, a significant milestone in his career. This move follows his college and summer league performances, reuniting him with former Oregon connections and marking the beginning of his professional journey. News outlets, including Baseball America and the Bourne Braves' Instagram, have highlighted this development, noting his potential as a prospect.

Conclusion

Chase Meggers' baseball career to date reflects a journey of growth and achievement, from high school accolades to college honors and now a professional contract. His statistics and performances in various leagues underscore his versatility and competitiveness, positioning him as a player to watch in the professional ranks.

 

Owen Hurd                                 @Owen_FBB

My updated July Top 100 prospects (With recent draftees)

1. OF Roman Anthony (BOS)

2. SS Konnor Griffin (PIT)

3. SS Kevin McGonigle (DET)

4. C/1B Samuel Basallo (BAL)

5. SS Sebastian Walcott (TEX)

6. RHP Jacob Misiorowski (MIL)

7. 1B/OF Jac Caglianone (KC)

8. RHP Chase Burns (CIN)

9. SS Leodalis De Vries (SD)

10. SS Jesus Made (MIL)

11. 2B JJ Wetherholt (STL)

12. OF Zyhir Hope (LAD)

13. SS Luis Pena (MIL)

14. RHP Bubba Chandler (PIT)

15. SS Marcelo Mayer (BOS)

16. OF Max Clark (DET)

17. OF Walker Jenkins (MIN)

18. OF Josue De Paula (LAD)

19. RHP Travis Sykora (WSH)

20. 1B Bryce Eldridge (MIL)

21. SS Jordan Lawlar (ARI)

22. RHP Andrew Painter (PHI)

23. 2B Travis Bazzana (CLE)

24. SS Colt Emerson (SEA)

25. RHP Seth Hernandez (PIT)

26. LHP Thomas White (MIA)

27. SS George Lombard Jr (NYY)

28. SS Eli Willits (WSH)

29. SS Franklin Arias (BOS)

30. LHP Kade Anderson (SEA)

31. SS Bryce Rainer (DET)

32. C/OF Dalton Rushing (LAD)

33. C/1B Josue Briceno (DET)

34. SS Arjun Nimmala (TOR)

    35. RHP Nolan McLean (NYM)

36. OF Chase DeLauter (CLE)

37. OF Eduardo Quintero (LAD)

38. OF/DH Lazaro Montes (SEA)

39. OF Emmanuel Rodriguez (MIN)

40. 2B Luke Keaschall (MIN)

41. SS Cole Young (SEA)

42. LHP Jamie Arnold (ATH)

43. C/1B Moises Ballesteros (CHC)

44. OF Carson Benge (NYM)

45. LHP Gage Jump (ATH)

46. SS Carson Williams (TB)

47. OF Mike Sirota (LAD)

48. 2B Michael Arroyo (SEA)

49. SS Ethan Holliday (COL)

50. LHP Liam Doyle (STL)

51. C Eduardo Tait (PHI)

52. OF Jonny Farmelo (SEA)

53. RHP Ryan Sloan (SEA)

54. OF Edward Florentino (PIT)

55. SS Cooper Pratt (MIL)

56. 2B Aroon Escobar (PHI)

57. SS/OF Jett Williams (NYM)

58. 3B Aidan Miller (PHI)

59. RHP Jonah Tong (NYM)

60. 1B Charlie Condon (COL)

61. OF Braden Montgomery (CWS)

62. 1B CJ Kayfus (CLE)

63. OF Theo Gillen (TB)

64. OF Dylan Beavers (BAL)

65. SS JoJo Parker (TOR)

66. LHP Johnny King (TOR)

67. 3B Sal Stewart (CIN)

68. RHP Trey Yesavage (TOR)

69. SS Aiva Arquette (MIA)

70. LHP Quinn Matthews (STL)

71. C Alfredo Duno (CIN)

72. OF Owen Caissie (CHC)

73. SS Kaelen Culpepper (MIN)

74. C Kyle Teel (CWS)

75. LHP Jackson Wiggins (CHC)

76. RHP Brody Hopkins (TB)

77. 2B Demetrio Crisantes (ARI)

78. C Leonardo Bernal (STL)

79. OF Jaison Chourio (CLE)

80. 1B Jonathan Long (CHC)

81. 3B Jacob Reimer (NYM)

82. 1B Ryan Waldschmidt (ARI)

83. LHP Hagen Smith (CWS)

84. SS Jefferson Rojas (CHC)

85. RHP Esteban Mejia (BAL)

86. RHP Alejandro Rosario (TEX)

87. RHP Tyler Bremner (LAA)

88. 3B Caleb Bonemer (CWS)

89. C Rainiel Rodriguez (STL)

90. LHP Payton Tolle (BOS)

91. RHP Carlos Lagrange (NYY)

92. RHP Jarlin Susana (WSH)

93. LHP Dasan Hill (MIN)

94. LHP Brandon Clarke (BOS)

95. 3B Brady House (WSH)

96. OF Slade Caldwell (ARI)

97. 1B Xavier Isaac (TB)

98. C Marco Dinges (MIL)

99. 3B Chase Harlan (LAD)

100. RHP Cam Schlitter (NYY)

Top 40 players on market as July 31 approaches

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5591079/2025/07/09/mlb-trade-deadline-big-board-players-postseason-2/

#29                 Harrison Bader

Age                31

Position       CF

B/T                 R/R

Fits                 CLE, PHI, TB

Deal likelihood

Value:           Top defensive outfielder with some pop

Analysis:      This trade market could be thin on outfielders, especially right-handed-hitting outfielders. Bader could help fill that void. He remains a very strong defender, capable of playing left, right or center, and he’s been a slightly above-league-average hitter with enough power to be dangerous. He also can still run a little bit. The total package is a solid outfield regular.

Owed in 2025             $1.3 million

Controlled through 2025

 

#30                 Zach Eflin

Age                31

Position       SP

B/T                 R/R

Fits                 ARI, CHC, HOU

Deal likelihood

Value:           Veteran mid-rotation starter

Analysis:      The Orioles have probably dug too far a hole and have too much long-term work to do on their pitching staff for the organization to hold expiring deals for a slim playoff chance at the deadline. With Zach Eflin, Tomoyuki Sugano and Charlie Morton all finishing their deals at the end of the season, it behooves Baltimore to get whatever prospect arms it can, preferably on the higher-upside, lower-floor spectrum of things. Unfortunately for Eflin, a brutal three-start stretch at the end of June led into an IL stint for back discomfort, which is why his ranking here dropped as precipitously as it did.

Owed in 2025             $6.7 million

Controlled through 2025

 

#31                 Alek Thomas

Age                25

Position       CF

B/T                 L/L

Fits                 BAL, CLE, KC

Deal likelihood

Value:           Light-hitting center fielder

Analysis:      Thomas’ middling bat and Arizona’s strong outfield depth could create the right conditions for trading the former Top 100 prospect. He may always be a bottom-of-the-order hitter, but teams that view Thomas as a legit glove in center field will be just fine to fill the position with someone under team control through 2028.

Owed in 2025             $252K

Controlled through 2028